Most people know that sexual abuse of a child is a crime. In the criminal case, however, the prosecutor does NOT represent the abuse victim. The victim may be a witness in the case, but his or her best interests may or may not be well represented. If you are a victim of clergy sexual abuse and feel your needs are not being represented, you may want to find a lawyer to represent YOU. You may even want to contact a lawyer if the state has decided not to prosecute the accused in criminal court because of insufficient evidence or the time that has elapsed since the abuse occurred. You may still have recourse for your suffering.
Most states have a statue of limitations on sexual abuse. This is the time period in which the perpetrator may be prosecuted or sued. Time varies from state to state and is generally longer for cases involving children. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible is important, so that he or she can assess if you can still bring suit against the perpetrator.